Lock Haven tops No. 9 West Chester

Lady Eagles score three goals in the final five minutes for win

WEST CHESTER, Pa. – With just five minutes to play, the Lady Eagles broke a tie and scored three consecutive goals to close the game, as the late surge lifted No. 10 Lock Haven (10-4, 8-1 PSAC) past arch-rival and ninth-ranked West Chester (11-1, 7-1 PSAC) 12-9 on Friday afternoon.

Gwen Buss scored her second goal of the game with 5:20 left in the contest to put Lock Haven up for good.

West Chester held an 8-6 halftime advantage, but Lock Haven dominated the second 30 minutes of play, outscoring the hosts 6-1.

With 9:43 to go, LHU tied the match at 9-9 and the Lady Eagles surged to victory from there.

LHU scored the final five goals of the game and five different players recorded two-goal games for LHU.

Along with Buss, Elyse Fisher, Kayleigh Johnson, Emily Cilla and Chelsea Borrino all scored two goals.

Johnson led LHU with three assists and Buss dished out a pair.

Heather Sacko's play in goal led Lock Haven's defensive effort. The senior-goalie made eight saves on the way to the huge win.

Clare Gaeng was sensational on defense. She caused three turnovers and had four ground balls.

Not enough can be said about the midfield play of Cilla. She had four caused turnovers and four ground balls to go along with her two goals.

The Golden Rams and Lady Eagles have met for the PSAC title in each of the last six years with each school winning three titles, including The Haven's three consecutive.

Lock Haven and West Chester, who had both already clinched PSAC playoff berths before the start of this match, entered today's game with identical 7-1 conference marks.

With the win, LHU sits atop the PSAC standings.

The last time the home team won a LHU-WCU match was the 2009 PSAC title match, won and hosted by Lock Haven.